Concealed carry passes

OGLE COUNTY — Illinois residents may soon be able to exercise their second amendment rights fully with the passage of the concealed carry bill last Tuesday.

Majorities in the House and Senate voted July 9 to override changes in Governor Pat Quinn’s amendatory veto. Governor Quinn wanted to place restrictions on unlimited carry of guns, unlimited high-capacity ammunition magazines and carrying guns in establishments that serve alcohol.

“Today’s action by members of the General Assembly was extremely disappointing. Following a weekend of horrific violence in Chicago in which at least 70 people were shot and 12 killed, this was the wrong move for public safety in Illinois,” stated Governor Quinn following the override. “Members of the Illinois House could not even manage to pass follow-up legislation that included a few of the critical changes that I outlined last week, such as improved mental health reporting and the duty to immediately inform law enforcement officers of the possession of a loaded concealed weapon.”

The law allows anyone with a Firearm Owner’s Identification card to obtain a concealed carry permit for $150 after passing a background check and completing 16 hours of gun safety training. A concealed carry license will last five years before expiring.

“[Concealed carry is still] a while a way before people can carry following the law,” Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn said.

While the law took effect on Tuesday, the Illinois State Police department has six months to set up a system for licensing procedures and an applicant review.

Harn said concealed carry will not effect the department.

“As officers we are trained to believe everyone has a gun and take precautions so we are in safe positions at all spots. We have already built it into training,” he said.

Guns will not be allowed in schools, libraries, parks and mass transit buses and trains. Guns will also be banned from establishments where liquor compromises 50 percent or more of sales.

“House Bill 183 was approved in May after months of bipartisan cooperation and input in the House and Senate. Governor Quinn was absent during these discussions and I must wonder why he waited until the 11th hour to make his priorities known. The Governor’s proposed rewrite of the concealed carry bill creates a confusing patchwork of rules that is guaranteed to cause problems for law abiding citizens who wish to carry. These actions look more like political gamesmanship than leadership since House Bill 183 was approved with veto-proof majorities in both chambers,” Representative Tom Demmer stated.

Harn asks residents to research the law and know the law before they call the station to report someone who they think has a gun illegally.

Illinois was the last state in the nation to pass concealed carry law.